Jane Lynch

Actor Jane Lynch’s career includes an impressive body of theatrical work, guest spots on numerous television shows, and a slew of movie cameos. But it is her Emmy-award winning role on the popular program “Glee” that has recently brought her widespread and well-deserved attention. As the outrageously mean Sue Sylvester, Lynch richly exhibits her signature blend of wit and sly intelligence as well as her singing talents (fittingly, Lynch sang choir in high school). After studying classical theater at Illinois State and Cornell Universities, Lynch honed her comedic skills touring with the Second City troupe. For years she relied on that training for an array of small but memorable television parts, mostly on sitcoms, before landing the role of a lesbian dog trainer in Christopher Guest’s “Best In Show.” That wickedly funny performance led to more collaborations with Guest and launched her movie career (including The 40 Year Old Virgin, Talladega Nights, and Julie & Julia, among other films). Before joining Glee, Lynch played a cut-throat lawyer on The L Word from 2005-2009. Lynch’s memoir, Happy Accidents, shares her improbable path to success and contentment.

Steven Winn is a freelance writer and critic who spent 28 years at the San Francisco Chronicle, the last six as the paper’s Arts and Culture Critic. His work has appeared in California, Good Housekeeping, Sports Illustrated and other publications. His memoir, Come Back, Como: Winning the Heart of a Reluctant Dog, was published in 2009.